My Other Obsession

I took a break this weekend

from crocheting to make some jewelry

My other obsession

I have had this idea in my head

and finally took the time to

see if it would work

I purchased some turquoise

stones at the 

Rose Bowl Flea Market

the last time I was there

and I wanted to see 

if I could solder 

one onto something

I had taken a class some time ago

to learn how to etch on copper

and made this copper heart

It went perfect with the stone

that kinda looks like a heart

I love how it turned out!

I have 3 more stones

waiting to be turned

into something

Robin

A Better Way

I have been crocheting since 

I was about 10 or 11

and throughout my life 

I have gone thru phases

where I don't crochet at all

and times like now

where all I seem to do

in my spare time is crochet

I love how Pinterest

(a current addiction)

has allowed me to find

new ways to do old things

Whenever I think "there has to be

 a better way to do this"

I start searching thru my pins on 

Pinterest and explore my options

Since I have been making 

a lot of granny squares lately

I find standing double crochets

look a lot better than 

a chain 3 for starting a round

They look just like a regular

double crochet

Here is a great tutorial on

how to start a new row with a

standing double crochet

Using this method leaves both ends

of your yarn at the top of the stitch

I just tie them together and

weave in the ends across the

top of my stitches

That way I can just crochet

over them in the next round

I LOVE not having all the ends

to weave in when Im done!!

Another great find is this

"Magic Knot"

to join my yarn

Its truly is magic!!!

I also like to use this

 standing double crochet

to start my rows

  Being the perfectionist that I am

(yes I will admit this)

I think these truly are better ways

to make my crocheting look better

I hope you will too!!

Robin